The Salvation Army of Bartlesville, Oklahoma hosted a special program throughout the month of June. Children from the Red Shield Club were invited to participate in a Summer Music Conservatory program every Tuesday and Thursday of the month, allowing children to get hands-on with a variety of musical instruments and lessons in the performing arts.

The program began the day with choir classes, teaching the children how to sing in unison and harmony. Mornings also featured a time where a volunteer from the Performing Arts field would come and showcase their talents, including classical music performances and even a cartoon voiceover artist.

During the afternoon, children were split up by grade level, ranging from Pre-K to 5th grade, and given breakout room assignments which rotated every 30 minutes. During these breakouts, the children were able to interact with instruments such as piano, guitar, saxophone and clarinet. However, if you ask any child what their favorite instrument at the camp was, it was almost unanimous: the drums.

The month long program culminates with two choral performances, the first of which will be held at The Salvation Army Corps for family members of the students. The second event will showcase the students on July 4th during the downtown festivities, singing patriotic songs such as “Fifty Nifty United States” and “God Bless the U.S.A.”

The Salvation Army would like to extend a very special thank you to OK Mozart, Everett Music Studio and the Bartlesville Symphony Players, all of whom donated their time and instruments to the Conservatory, making it available to the Red Shield Club students at no additional cost.